Dog OK after boating accident

A dog owner from Anastasia Island is calling his vet a hero after an emergency operation saved his dog's life.

Magic, a 7-year-old lab-chow mix, has fully recovered from a boating accident in March, and she is alive today because of her vet, said owner Tom Rau.

Charles Strickland, from Anastasia Veterinary Practice is a hero because he spent four hours in operation repairing serious wounds on a Saturday to keep the dog alive, Rau said. Strickland, however, gives the credit to Magic and Rau. He said any veterinarian would have done what he did, and many have.

The accident happened when Rau, a retired Navy pilot, was fishing with Bill Douglass, a retired Florida National Guard colonel, in the Intracoastal Waterway near the State Road 206 bridge.

Magic and Sadie, Rau's other dog, were on board. It was about 8:45 a.m.

All of a sudden a wood duck swam by the 18-foot boat, grabbing Magic's attention. The dog barked and the duck dove under the water.

''She got interested in it, and lost her balance by leaning too far over,'' Rau said.

Magic was sucked underneath the boat and into the propeller.

Rau and Sadie immediately jumped into the water to help, but with five major wounds including a collapsed lung, Magic was badly hurt.

Rau said he treated his dog, performing first aid and stopping the bleeding, while Douglass drove the boat. Sadie offered comfort.

On the 30-minute boat ride, Rau called Strickland for help and was told to head for the clinic.

''He said, bring her here immediately, I'm moving everybody out of the way and the O.R. will be ready,'' Rau said.

Strickland said he always has to assess how far a pet owner is willing to go -- and pay -- before performing emergency operations. But he's known Rau and Magic for several years.

''His dog is like his child,'' Strickland said.

Within an hour of the accident, Magic was in Strickland's office. He closed the wounds and repaired the lung. Rau said Strickland's dedication saved the dog's life.

Magic stayed at the office for five days, and then went home.

Strickland said it's extraordinary that the dog survived, but she was healthy, and Rau was able to initially stop the bleeding.

''I think a lot of it has to do with the dog, and of course Tom's perseverance,'' Strickland said.

Soon after returning home, Magic was sent to a specialist in Jacksonville for five more surgeries to repair the damage caused by the propeller and treat infection. After two weeks with the specialist, she had two more weeks of outpatient care.

But now, Rau said Magic has fully recovered, and you wouldn't even know she was hurt by looking at her. And together, they go fishing.

''She still goes on the boat, and she still fishes with me,'' Rau said. ''She has no fear of the water.''